A couple of years ago Paul Weller went on a solo acoustic tour where, for the first time, he played several old Jam and Style Council favourites each night. At the time, Weller said that the tour had helped him come to terms with his illustrious back catalogue and this was further demonstrated at this gig where he played the closest we are likely to get to a greatest hits set.

With no new album to promote, Paul played a smattering of his top solo songs as well as several songs by his former bands. Maybe it was because his band included Steve Craddock and Damon Minchella from Ocean Colour Scene who played live with Paul around the time of his Stanley Road LP but whatever the reason, I wasn't complaining. Paul played a massive six songs from Stanley Road including superb versions of the title track and Changingman, possibly his theme song for the 90s as well as a beautiful Time Passes, Broken Stones, Porcelain Gods and Out Of The Sinking. There were also four songs from his other most popular solo LP Wild Wood including the title track and a blistering Sunflower as well as other highlights from his solo career such as Into Tomorrow and Up In Suzes' Room.

"Dee C Lee, come to the stage" - the most moving and surprising moment of the gig was during an excellent version of the Style Council's Long Hot Summer when Paul invited his former wife onstage to sing backing vocals. Dee got a rapturous reception as she sang words maybe written for her - "No matter what I do, I end up hurting you". It was a touching public reconciliation though fortunately Weller and Lee didn't take it too far by pointing at each other while singing this chorus!

Although Dee's appearance was greeted rapturously, the songs which got the biggest reception were inevitably those by The Jam, one of the most fondly remembered bands ever which Paul split over 20 years ago while they were still ahead of the game. We were all on our feet and singing along nostalgically to That's Entertainment and a rousing, closing Town Called Malice.

Paul's support for this tour was an excellent young, new four-piece The Stands who sang great harmonies and played good guitar around their heavily Beatles / Byrds / Neil Young / 60s influenced songs. Paul has somehow managed to get a good support act who are even more derivative than his detractors accuse him of being.

All in all then an excellent gig, refreshingly all down to the five musicians - Weller, Craddock, Minchella, Paul's long-tome drummer Steve White and a keyboardist - rather than backing tapes or an overuse of special effects or video screens. Although the sound was a bit murky, the band were excellent and Uncle Paul even treated the 30s and 40s audience by starting early and finishing at 10.30 so we could all get home to bed! Weller didn't say much during the gig but was obviously enjoying himself and appreciative of the audience. Like that other prickly new-waver Joe Jackson, he seems to have finally happily come to terms with his illustrious past while still making some great music today.

26.12.03